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No class Thursdays = explore the city


Two of the most known hills in Santiago

Since I have no classes on Thursdays, it gives me time to explore more the city and what it has to offer. Therefore, I decided to visit two of the most known hills in Santiago which are Cerro Santa Lucia (St. Lucia Hill) and Cerro San Cristobal (St. Cristobal Hill). They are both located near each other and close to downtown Santiago. Cerro Santa Lucia is free and Cerro San Cristobal you have to pay to go up in the cableway or the trolley. Walking towards the top of the hill is possible but it’ll take a couple of hours. 

The first stop of my day was Cerro Santa Lucia which is located in the middle of downtown Santiago (literally). The hill is surrounded by all the skyscrapers in downtown. It’s a great place to escape from the everyday life because of all the natural presence of the trees, flowers, and the air. The mansions are beautiful architectures that have been there a lot of years. This hill has a lot of history behind it. Legend has it, that Pedro de Valdivia who was the first governor of Chile in 1540, established himself there and named the city Santiago and the hill St. Lucia. 





The views of the skyline of downtown Santiago are amazing! Being in the middle of the city is super easy to get there and it’s FREE!!

The second stop of the day was in Cerro San Cristobal which is massive. This one is located a bit far up from downtown Santiago. The way to get to the top is either through a trolley, a cableway, or walking (a couple of hours approximately). I chose to take the cableway to the top of the hill. It was my first time ever taking it! It was definitely worth it! Going up the views of the whole city were breathtaking!! It was one of those moments when you just have to stop doing everything you’re doing and appreciate what your eyes are seeing. 



The top of this hill is a very sacred place as it has a church, and a little chapel of the Virgin Mary. And it has statues of Pope John Paul II, and the giant virgin looking over the city of Santiago. Religious songs are always playing in the top when you get to the little chapel of the virgin. 




It was a very productive day exploring two of the most known places here in Santiago. 

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